My lawyers will respond to petition on confidential funds - VP Sara

Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday said she will let her legal team respond to a petition filed before the Supreme Court (SC) asking it to declare null and void the order and circular that covers the disbursement of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF). 

Duterte’s decision to let her lawyers answer the petition filed by a group that includes Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, lawyer Howard Calleja, JP Calleja, and former senator Richard Gordon, was reported by “24 Oras” on Tuesday.

In a 45-page petition for certiorari and mandamus, the petitioners asked the High Court to declare null and void Executive Order No. 2 and Joint Circular No. 2015-01, which provides the guidelines in the disbursement and liquidation of confidential funds, for being repugnant to the 1987 Constitution.

It also asked the court to prohibit the respondents or any person, entity, member, officer, employee, or representative from enforcing the EO and joint circular.

The petitioners also asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order, writ of preliminary injunction, and/or mandamus to prevent any irreparable injury to petitioners due to the infringement of their rights.

Meanwhile, the Court was also asked to direct Duterte, the Senate, House, and state auditors to give the petitioners the report of expenses and liquidation of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) 2022 confidential funds.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it will respond to the petition once it receives an official copy.

“We haven’t seen the petition yet. We will wait for an official copy, and we will respond in accordance with the law and existing rules and regulations,” said DBM Undersecretary Goddes Hope Libiran. 

GMA Integrated News reached out to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos for comments but they have yet to respond.—RF, GMA Integrated News